Auckland, New Zealand – December 2023 – On the nomination of the Salesian parish priest, Fr Mosese Tui, Lam Lianzaw, a young woman born in Myanmar and now an active member of St Paul Massey, New Zealand, was awarded the "Tu Kahikatea" award, given to her by Bishop Steven Lowe, bishop in the Auckland Diocese, on Saturday 2 December 2023. The "Tu Kahikatea" awards are annual awards given by the Diocese of Auckland to young people who have made an exceptional contribution to their community. Lam, who comes from a large Catholic refugee family, is extensively involved in the life of the Massey parish and the local Burmese community. Recently, she also graduated from the Auckland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Health Science in Psychology.  

Cochabamba, Bolivia - December 2023 - Communicators from Salesian works in the Bolivia Province and some young people from the Salesian Youth Movement took part from 13 to 15 December in a seminar on the theme "Communicators: Salesian Communication towards a digital culture", held at the Salesian University of Cochabamba. The aim of the event was to explore new forms of communication. Around 25 communicators and collaborators of Salesian communication were trained with new tools, to generate assertive and creative messages aimed at sharing the work and charism of the Salesian spirit. For three days, the participants learned the functions of artificial intelligence as an image generator and editor; they planned a communication strategy starting with graphic design and practised the implementation of journalistic resources in written texts. The Delegate for Social Communication of the BOL Province, Fr Miguel Ángel Córdova, assured that this formation space is a response to the challenge of walking with young people in virtual platforms, with charismatic and creative communication, in the style of Don Bosco.

Santa Ana, El Salvador – December 2023 – As part of an exciting event that took place on 18 December, the El Salvador Bakery School was opened,  located on the premises of the San José Salesian Institute. The opening ceremony involved distinguished authorities and important institutions, thus consolidating a significant stage for education and training in bakery in the country. Among the guests were Salesians from the Salesian Province of Central America (CAM), including the Provincial, Fr Julio Navarro, representatives of the "Via Don Bosco" NGO, the Bakery School Foundation and the Apostolic Nuncio of El Salvador, Archbishop Luigi Roberto Cona. The authorities who were there emphasised the educational values, academic excellence and the importance of training highly qualified professionals in the art of bakery, pastry and chocolate making. The facilities were also blessed, thus marking the beginning of a new phase dedicated to the complete training of future bakers and pastry chefs.

Brussels, Belgium - December 2023 - On 13 and 14 December, Don Bosco International (DBI), the body representing the Salesian Congregation at the European Union (EU) Institutions, welcomed Mr Piero Fabris, Executive Director of Don Bosco Tech Europe, the European Salesian network for Vocational Training. It was two days of meetings with key players in EU policies, in the development of projects for Vocational Training, migration, job opportunities, validation of competences (formal and non-formal) and the Digitisation of Human Resources to plan activities for 2024. DBI and DB Tech Europe thank the European institutions for the important meetings: European Commission (Directorate General - Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion); European Alliance for Apprenticeship, International Centre for Development and Migration Policy; Lifelong Learning Platform; European Association of Vocational Training Institutes; European Association for Vocational Training.

Bandel, India - December 2023 - Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario, CSC, Archbishop Emeritus of Dhaka, ordained five Salesians from the Calcutta Province (INC) to the priesthood during a solemn ceremony held on 16 December in the historic Marian shrine at Bandel. The ceremony was attended by Bishop Nirmol Vincent Gomes, SDB, bishop of the Diocese of Krishnagar, and Fr Joseph Pauria, Superior of the INC Province, in the presence of about one hundred priests. The newly ordained Salesians are Frs Biswajit Mondal, Mohon Murmu, Simon Bara, Topon Hasda and Tushar Gomes.

Madrid, Spain - December 2023 - On 16 December, Fr Alfred Maravilla, General Councillor for the Missions, Salesian Brother Jean Paul Muller, Economer General, and Fr Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, Councillor for the Mediterranean Region, took part in the ordinary six-monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Salesian Mission Office Madrid, "Misiones Salesianas". The presence of the three General Councillors as ex-officio members is an expression of communion with the Rector Major on the part of the Missionary Office, established by him to support the missionary activity of the whole Congregation (cf. Regulations, 24). Among the other members of the Board of Directors of "Misiones Salesianas" were the two Superiors of the Salesian Provinces of Spain: Fr Fernando García Sánchez (SSM) and Fr Fernando Miranda Ustero (SMX).